Midland Publishing

Aerofax Tupolev Tu-154 The USSR's Medium-Range Jet Airliner

by  Dmitriy Komissarov

Reviewed By  Phil Peterson, IPMS# 8739

MSRP: $36.95 USD ISBN: 1-85780-241-1 192 pages, 8-1/2 x 11", softbound, www.specialtypress.com The Tu-154 was developed as a state-of-the-art-medium-haul jet airliner right from the start. Not modified from an existing bomber version as the previous Tu-104 and Tu-114 were. It was a tri-jet design that looks like the Boeing 727 but is a large aircraft. This book is more like the reference books I like, lots of detailed color pictures showing the different markings carried by both Airlines in the CIS and Foreign service. There are multi-view drawings showing the different versions and different internal seating arrangements (still one of the most interesting ideas I have seen in an airliner). The book starts with the design of the new aircraft, the prototype and the different versions of the plane. This is followed by a Projects section detailing many of the versions that did not go into production. The next 2 sections give details on the different operators both in and out of country and there are quite a few. These are detailed serial numbers and registrations of the planes and many color photos detailing the different paint schemes airline modelers love. One other nice thing about this book is it actually lists the different models of this plane that have been kitted, and there aren't that many. I like this touch in the series. The next section is the detail part and while I like the different detail pics the verbiage describes detail that an engineer would love, but not me. There are 2 Appendixes listed. The first gives a detailed production list of all the aircraft manufactured. The second covers accident attrition. There are not many aircraft that have avoided accidents but seeing the details from simple accidents to tragic crashes is eye opening. I wonder what the accident list looks like for the 737, a plane I travel on with some regularity. The book may be ordered by calling 1-800-895-4585 or by visiting www.specialtypress.com. A $4.95 shipping and handling fee is added to each order. When you order tell them you read about from IPMS/USA. I would like to again thank Specialty Press for the review copy.

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